As someone who enjoys listening to country music, the genre often feels monotonous and unoriginal. That is why I was delighted when Spotify recommended Ella Langley’s song “Choosin’ Texas” to me. The song channeled classic country storytelling while simultaneously incorporating more modern instrumentation and production. Langley brought the same unique style to her most recent album, “Dandelion,” which was released on April 10.
The 18-track album opens and closes with Langley playing an acoustic guitar, singing whimsical verses from “Froggy Went A Courtin’,” a popular Scottish folk song from the 16th century that Langley said was one of the first tunes her grandfather taught her to play. This worked well as a bridge between Langley’s traditional country roots and her more experimental music.
While she articulates much of country’s hallmark symbolism about cowboy boots and small towns, Langley avoids the obsessive name-checking that defines formulaic country pop songs. In the album, Langley does not shy away from the themes of love, loss and religion. She uses metaphors and masterful storytelling rather than relying on the cliches of her genre.
Four songs on the album were previously released as singles, including the eponymous “Dandelion” and the aforementioned “Choosin’ Texas.” “Dandelion,” the second track on the album with soft piano in the background, serves as the album’s general metaphor. In the song, the dandelion flower is easily swept away by the wind, representing the beauty and ephemeral nature of passion and desire.
Similarly, the lyrics of “Choosin’ Texas” tell the story of a lost lover who is torn between his home and partner. Despite the song’s seemingly melancholic theme, it is infectiously catchy and could put a smile on even the most stoic of people. Another track with particularly clever lyrics is “We Know Us,” which approaches heartbreak from a more reflective perspective and is about learning to move on.
The latter half of the album is more about hope, resilience and personal fortitude. For example, the acoustic song “Speaking Terms” cleverly frames her evolving relationship with God from childhood to adulthood as a personal struggle with herself and a refuge from the difficulties of life.
Toward the end of the album, the song “Butterfly Season,” which she sings with Miranda Lambert, serves as a culmination of a personal journey. The butterfly serves as a metaphor for “finding my wings.”
Overall, “Dandelion” is a thoughtfully constructed album that combines a traditional country ethos with more modern stylistic sensibilities. By weaving together folk influences, vivid lyrics and familiar themes, Langley builds a cohesive narrative arc that is both enjoyable and artistically sound. The result is an album with many songs that can appeal to both bona fide country fans and casual listeners alike.
